MALAYAN FISHES. 41 
The male fish are kept in bottles separately, and when in a state 
of quiet they are dull looking little fish, but if two bottles be 
brought together, the little creatures become greatlv excited and 
the raised fins and whole body shine with bright metallic colours of 
dazzling beauty, 
If two male fish are then placed together they fight like terriers. 
When fighting they utter a curious ringing note which sounds lke 
“Kring Kring” and probably this accounts for another name: 
by which they are known viz. Ikan karing. 
The Képar (Polyacanthus hasseltii) is another beautiful little 
fish and quite common in brackish swamps and ponds. 
This fish has been bred in confiriement by Chinese, probably for 
centuries, and is known as the Paradise fish to aquarium owners 
in Europe. In its native element, in dark or muddy water, it is 
of rather a drab brown colour but if kept in a bowl in clear water, 
it has a beautiful golden colour with red transverse bands, 
CORAL FISHES. 
(POMACENTRIDAE.) 
This family resembles the CHAETODONTIDAE (Coral Fishes) in 
form and mode of life, likewise in the brilliant colouration. For 
this reason I have applied the same English name in the absence 
of any other for this particular family. 
Over 150 species are known. Some 30 species are described in 
Day’s Fishes of India and probably the family is better represented 
in Malayan than in Indian waters. 
As the names Inggu and Gombing shew, the Malays include 
CHAETODONTIDAE and POMACENTRIDAE in one family and curiously 
enough, the scaly-finned fishes (CHAETODONTIDAE) resemble the 
POMACENTRIDAE so closely that in some instances actually the same 
colouration and markings are common to members of the two 
families. This, as remarked by Dr. Giinther, is one of many in- 
stances shewing that the colouration of animals depends to a great 
extent on their mode of life and natural surroundings. 
From an edible point of view they are not of much economic: 
importance. but all specimens brought to the markets seem to find 
ready purchasers. 
“ WRASSES” OR PARROT FISHES. 
(LABRIDAE.) 
The “Wrasses” form a large family of most brillianitly 
coloured marine fishes, inhabiting all the tropical and temperate 
coasts. 
Their regime is partially herbivorous, partially carnivorous. 
About 400 species are known, 
Some of the members of this family have been observed to: 
build nests for the protection of their eggs and young. 
